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Healthy News November 2022

Sitka chiropractic spinal manipulation treatment may be noisy...or not! SMT is effective either way. 

The Illusive Pop of Spinal Manipulation

“To Pop or Not to Pop” is understandably a twist on an age-old Shakespearean quote for an age-old chiropractic spinal manipulation question. Today’s answer is that it’s not a required indicator of back pain relief from spinal manipulation treatment (SMT), yet back pain and neck pain patients undergoing SMT want and need to know more. Present-day guidelines for handling low back pain emphasize patient education and exercise as important issues. Healthcare practitioners are pretty good (72% overall) at delivering information. By profession, though, chiropractors lead in delivering patient education for 76% of patients with physical therapists at 74% and general practitioners at only 44%. The more emotionally distressed a patient seemed or the pain extended below the knee, information was shared with 78% of patients. (1) A valuable topic for Sitka back pain and neck pain patients undergoing spinal manipulation treatment (SMT) is this sometimes-audible pop. A systematic review of published studies found that regardless of the spinal area or follow-up time after the SMT, there was no research evidence of improved pain outcomes or success of the treatment linked to an audible pop. (2) This is good to know since some patients experience it, and some don’t. Patients whose practitioners told them about the audible pop - as well as those who were not spinal manipulation patients - reported curious theories of what made that sound and had overemphasized ideas of its importance. (3) Instead of the question “To pop or not to pop?” the better question for you and your Sitka chiropractor might “Is there pain relief or not?” With our gentle chiropractic care, there is pain relief for many Sitka back pain and neck pain sufferers. We look forward to talking  with you at your next chiropractic visit at Arctic Chiropractic, Sitka!

Listen to this PODCAST with Dr. Kurt Olding on The Back Doctors Podcast with Dr. Michael Johnson as he describes the gentle spinal manipulation treatment of spinal stenosis with The Cox® Technic System of Spinal Pain Management.

Arctic Chiropractic, Sitka shares new research about the effect of vitamin D on adrenal health and function. 

[[CHIROPRACTIC]] TIP OF THE MONTH: 
Vitamin D for Adrenal Gland Support

Vitamin D enjoys a favored reputation and is well- researched beyond its longer term reputation in supporting phospho-calcium metabolism and skeletal bone disorders.  Today, research has well-established vitamin D as a hormone and recounted vitamin D as influential for various diseases from cancer, inflammation, and autoimmunity (Hashimoto’s, Graves’, diabetes) to adrenal gland health and disease (Cushing’s, Addison’s). (4) The adrenal gland has two main parts: (A) The adrenal cortex makes cortisol which controls the sleep/wake cycle, body’s utilization of fats/proteins/carbs, inflammation, blood pressure as well as increases blood sugar and decreases bone formation. (B) The adrenal medulla makes “stress hormones” epinephrine (adrenaline) and norepinephrine (noradrenaline) responsible for the fight or flight response. (5) Adrenal gland issues keep people awake at night…literally! Although not yet definitive, 800-2000IU a day was suggested in one recent study to support adrenal health. (6) Arctic Chiropractic, Sitka is excited to talk about vitamin D and any adrenal gland issues you may be having.  

CONTACT Arctic Chiropractic, Sitka

Schedule your next Sitka chiropractic visit with Arctic Chiropractic, Sitka soon! We have a lot to talk about!

"This information and website content is not intended to diagnose, guarantee results, or recommend specific treatment or activity. It is designed to educate and inform only. Please consult your physician for a thorough examination leading to a diagnosis and well-planned treatment strategy. See more details on the DISCLAIMER page. Content is reviewed by Dr. James M. Cox I."